Vietnamese civilians

 My latest round of recruits adds a bit of local flavour to my collection, the scenery part things is slowly going on in the background so these will add that bit more realism to that side of things. There is also the fact the enemy blended into the surroundings and were quick to pick up arms to defend themselves and their villages. Empress released villagers for the Vietnam War in both civilian and combatant versions. So the locals can arm themselves and rise up and fight! So onto the figures 

                                     peaceful civilians going about their everyday business 

Once again Paul Hicks as captured these perfectly, clean castings with little flash to clean up and prep. Lovely poses and nice detail, they all look natural and certainly capture the flavour of Vietnam. 

These guys and gals are the armed versions of the above figures. The weapons are varied and as you would expect some soviet weapons mixed in. The figures are basically the same figure but this time armed, they look the part! Local militia or just people out to defend what they have, either way they are beautiful little sculpts. 

The painted versions 

This guys dumped his burden and is running to defend moma San.

I decided to have some fun with the base with this one, the lady in question is preparing her vegetable patch, once again more then willing to up a gun and fight. 

One minute your walking down the street in your village and the next minute your arming yourself.

Poppa San ready to fight and die!

Group shots, in my humble opinion I think I captured the look pretty well.

I finished up a fifth figure which belonged to another pack so here she is 

 Well this brings my post for this time to a close, absolutely love these figures, I'm not sure how many figures I've added to my collection but these definitely won't be the last. 

So thanks for looking, stay safe and I will post again soon 

Cheers for now Russ 

 

 

Incoming NAM!

 I've not updated my blog in a while so I have quite a few figures to share, I'm really enjoying myself with these figures it's mainly getting the time. Life does so get in the way at times! Real life that is. So my NAM collection is still growing and I really can't see that changing anytime soon. So on to the figures 

                                                            I AM THE LAW

Apologies if you were expecting a Judge but it's not that kind of law 

This guys come in various stages of carrying and firing so pretty much cover all the poses you need. As always nice clean castings and super detail just waiting to be painted. Once again Paul Hicks as done a beautiful job on these guys. I'm no expert on uniforms and equipment but these guys look spot on.

The helmet graffiti is fun to do although my rendition of Mickey Mouse looks a tad evil, but afterall he is in a war zone. Its crazy to think Vietnam was raging on when I was born, its a conflict that has always resinated with me. All wars are terrible and some even pointless but Vietnam seems one of the most brutal and pointless I can think of, although WW1 comes under the same heading in my book.

GNY SGT AND PRIVATE PYLE 

These two guys need no real introduce, classic characters from a classic film. These guys never got to Nam but all the same it would be unfair not to add them to my collection. Once again I can't fault the figures, private Pyles warface is there to see in all its glory. Gny looks to be barking orders or his he still on private Pyles case, either way Pyle looks ready to let the lead fly. 

Once again the figures are clean little castings, very little clean up required. The figures only need the bipod for the M60/pig glueing on so the prep is minimal. The detail is fantastic even down to the studs on the water bottle case. There doesn't seem to be any detail on these guys that's been fudged, I know I sound biased but this range just ticks all the boxes. I've probably mentioned it before but I always wanted a Vietnam collection, platoon 20 was my first attempt very very many years ago. I couldnt paint 20mm so the project never got of the ground, then along came Empress Miniatures! The rest is history! 

 

THE 4 HORSEMEN OF THE APOCALYPSE 

These guys from left to right Lt Col. Cheatham, Dale Dye, Gny Sgt Frank Thomas, Captain Christmas.

This time real life Vietnam characters, Dale Dye is probably one of the most famous of these four. Carrying his camera and spare film cannisters tapped to the strap, this guy looks like what he is a true soldier a true marine. His service record and his film career are truly impressively.

Once again Paul Hicks as captured these guys perfectly, all one piece castings, mold lines are minimal and they were soon ready for paint. Lt Col Cheatham was a large built guy and it shows, he looks every bit a leader. Dale Dye looks every bit a soldier a true warrior. Gny Sgt Frank Thomas is carrying the Stars and Stripes inside his flak jacket and last but not least Captain Christmas. 

Well that brings another post to a close, hopefully if nothing else the figures speak for themselves. I'm hoping to get more figures added soon although life isn't in a cooperative mood on that one. 

So has always thanks for looking, feel free to comment and catch up with you all soon.

   Cheers for now Russ 

Marine Mortar Team

My next batch of figures for Vietnam are ready to go, it's more figures to reinforce my Marine force. Once again Empress Miniatures have hit the nail on the head with these guys, the pack contains two mortar crews. One firing and one on the move, I'm no expert on Vietnam but that's not stopping me. The figures are very nicely done, the crew moving is a nice addition one which I'm not sure many other manufacturers make. I could be wrong but it's not something I've seen. As always very little in way of prep required, the mortar us in two pieces, the front legs are separate and the mortar barrel and plate are a one piece casting with the figure holding it steady. Lovely piece of sculpting and the fit of the pieces is spot on. 

 

(picture curtesy of Empress Miniatures website)

The two crew moving the mortar look perfect posing from the photos I've seen, I imagine lugging this thing around was no fun especially in the heat and with all the other gear these guys carried. There are some really nice pieces of detailing gone into these guys I've already mentioned but the amount of gear these guys adorned their helmets with is a real eye opener. Toys, cigarette packs, gun oil, bug repellant, playing cards, tooth brushes and thats before we even get into the graffiti written on the helmet covers. The graffiti extended to flak jackets which I will admit I may of got carried away with but hey these guys probably had hours of boredom to fill! 

First up, team USA! It didn't stand out enough in just plain black so Red, White and Blue seemed appropriate. Maybe not the most realistic but a few images I found did include a bit of colour. 

The eyeballs on the helmet and a very basic flag on the flak jacket, once again fun to paint and a chance to add a bit more character. 

I've looked at other ranges but Empress seems to have ticked all the boxes for me. I'm no gamer and haven't been for a lot of years now, but painting and collecting is just as much fun if not more for me. I really can't fault this range so far! The collaboration between Paul Hicks and Empress Miniatures is a perfect match in my eyes. I'm hoping there will be more to come from them, I know what I like and these guys are definitely it. 

I keep saying I will finally get around to painting my ARVN but I'm still steadily working my way through my Marines. The VC/PAVN are slightly outnumbered which is something I will be rectifying in the near future! Well that about rounds up this post, thanks for taking the time to read my humble or just looking at the pictures. My blog will never set the hobby world ablaze but that's not what it's all about! So keep looking and I will keep posting. 

  Cheers Russ

   

Medic!!!!

 I've completed the next round of recruits, every army suffers casualties so there's got to be a medic or two to help patch the guys up and get them back into action. Once again it's Empress Miniatures and the beautiful sculpting that can only be at the hands of Paul Hicks. The guy is a legend and Empress miniatures is co-conspirator in trying to either get me divorced or make me bankrupt! Either way I'm not quite sure they realise what they have started! 

  So on to the figures, the pack contains 5 cracking little figures, all figures are cleaning cast and very little clean up was needed. The medics are certainly getting put through their paces, the first one is a double casting of a medic helping support a wounded figure walking. I'm always amazed how great these guys look even before a lick of paint, the single medic is wearing glasses and certainly looks the part.

The next figures are two separate pieces but they join up perfectly. I like the research which Mr Hicks as done and its always to come across the same images as the ones he has taken his inspiration from. The medic is a fantastic little sculpt but so is the poor guy who needs his expertise, they really do make for a stunning little piece

As you can tell I'm certainly a fan of this range and there are more to come, more then anything it's finding the time to get stuff done.

Unfortunately my painting skills are lacking in certain areas, but I have tried to add some helmet graffiti. Some of the helmets were works of art in their own rights, peace symbols, blood types and even names and symbols where added on the flak jackets. How anyone manages painting these things in smaller scales then 25mm is beyond me. 

So as always thanks for looking, please feel free to comment or just enjoy looking at the pictures, either way keep looking and I will keep posting. 

Cheers for now Russ 

The enemy ranks swell

 I've managed a few bits for my Vietnam collection, they are more figures from Empress miniatures. I really am loving painting these guys, this time it's a command section with a little bit more firepower. The sculpts are beautiful little figures, I know I'm getting boring repeating it but that's how I see it. The figures clean up nicely, a minor amount of work required to get them ready for paint. Then it's the fun bit colouring them in as I like to call it. Research is always a fun part of painting and I think I managed to get the camo Cape looking better this time, I know colours would vary in real life and wear and tear would have an effect on clothing so trying to replicate is have the fun. I'm no expert when it comes to most of the figures I paint but I like to think they are reasonable in their appearance. So on to the figures and hopefully I've at least managed to capture enough of the essence of The Nam.

I'm never keen on every figure looking identical in matching uniforms.

The MG is the first of the more heavy support for my squads.

The character and detail is just waiting to come to life.

As always the photos are average but hopefully good enough to get a good idea of how superbly these guys paint up.

So what's next? Only time will tell! I have some transports to paint and build so they may just be my next post.

   As always thanks for looking, all the very best Cheers for now Russ 

Fresh round of recruits

 More troops for my growing collection.

I've managed to add a few more bits and pieces to my slowly growing collection, more goodies from Empress miniatures. Once again they are cracking little figures, I can't say I've seen any figures in the range that I don't like. What started once again as a side project as grown wings and looks like developing into something major! I love researching the uniforms and it's amazing how varied the uniforms seemed to be. I'm no expert so I'm bound to get some thing wrong, OK maybe a lot things but hey who's counting. 

So on to the figures, this time they are more NVA. I've swapped a few heads with the coolie hats from the range, they look more VC in appearance so black and dark blue colours crept in. I cant say I'm looking to build a balanced force, painting and collecting leaves the door open for just painting and adding pretty much what I like the look of. This guy screams Vietnam, trudging along on his cart! No cares no worries! Well not until he gets stopped by the local VC. 

Let's hope he's not carrying anything he shouldn't be. 

There's no better feeling then adding a fresh batch of figures to a collection, especially when it means your balancing out the forces. This time I've included the first of the two command packs I picked up, the other pack includes the radio operator and such but the bugler and Commander just cried out to be painted so then it was just adding a RPG, machine gun and a few foot soldiers. 

My collection of scenery is also growing so hopefully the pictures are becoming more appealing then just plain boring photos. I'm hopefully going to finish another squad of these guys and a little bit of heavy support, then I will see about adding a few more US figures and possibly a APC or two. The Australian contingent is still very much still on the agenda, but I need to finish up the few I've started converting to be special forces reinforcements. 

Fingers crossed the next round of additions will arrive sooner rather than later, time is something I never seem to have enough of. So thanks for looking and feel free to comment.

  All the very best cheers Russ 

Back in the Nam!

 I've added some more Empress goodies to my Vietnam collection, I've favoured the American and Australian forces so its only right to add some balance to the collection. 

 These guys capture my image of the NVA perfectly, smaller in stature,not overly uniformed but never the less a formidable foe. I love the use of variety of uniforms and equipment, even if it's something as simple as a different shade of the same colour. Faded, washed out and in some cases heavily worn, I'm pretty sure it was all seen and used on the battlefields all over the world. I've plumped for 10 man squads, each squad carries a RPG, LMG and a variety of small arms. Originally I planned on not adding an RPG to every squad so I painted two up for this squad to help balance out the first squad I previously painted.

   Like most subjects I'm no expert, so I make a few mistakes and from time to time I get it wrong! The main thing is I'm enjoying the hobby and that's the main thing, so on to the figures.

The full squad, note the two RPGs to balance out my previous squad who is sadly lacking any anti tank/helicopter support. 

The mixed uniforms and equipment I think really adds to the look of almost any force but suits these guys down to the ground. 

 My scenery is lacking I'm afraid but that's another thing I need to address! I'm pretty sure the vill will grow slowly, I've invested in another Sarissa Precision building so it will need some country folk to inhabit it. 

Just to add some balance I've added some better pictures of my SAS figures, they are cracking little figures and I can see my collection growing to include the Aussies! The movie "Danger Close" as a lot to answer for. 

Once again the mixture of uniforms and kit adds that extra element! I would say its because I get bored easily but that's only half the story.

So thanks again for reading, it's the love of the figures that keeps me painting and hopefully it's what brings you here.

So keep looking and I will keep posting, please feel free to comment

All the very best 

     Cheers for now Russ